Mammoth Solar named 2024 Dual-Use Plan of the Year

Mammoth Solar, the Doral Renewables’ 1.3-gigawatt project located across Starke and Pulaski counties, was awarded the Dual-Use Plan of the Year award in the first edition of the North American Agrivoltaics Awards in a ceremony during the Solar Farm Summit. 

Upon completion, the Mammoth Solar Project will provide energy to approximately 250,000 homes. The project is divided into three phases: Mammoth North, set to begin operations in the upcoming months, and Mammoth South and Mammoth Central, which have both begun early construction work and will be fully mobilized later this year. It will become one of the largest solar projects in the U.S. while acting as an agrivoltaics proving ground. Agrivoltaics pairs solar with agriculture, creating energy and providing space for crops, grazing and native habitats under and between panels.

The project was recognized for outstanding excellence in innovation for its dual-use solar development design. The award highlighted the project's approach to combining large-scale renewable energy generation with sustainable agricultural practices. 

"The recognition of the Mammoth Solar Project as a leader in dual-use solar development is a testament to our commitment to innovation and sustainability," Doral Renewables Director of Development and Agrivoltaics Ed Baptista stated in a press release. "By integrating renewable energy generation with agricultural practices, we are not only providing clean energy but also promoting heritage farming practices."

From left, Ed Baptista and Michelle Frees of Doral Renewables accept the award from Dan French, the Summit's Executive Producer

The Mammoth Solar Project is working at garnering community support as well by reviving traditional farming practices. The project is working on managing vegetation in an environmentally friendly manner, while allowing local farmers to continue their farming operations.

With the integration of 1,500 sheep, Kune Kune pigs, dozens of alpacas, donkeys, and other animals, the project hopes to maximize its land use, generating additional revenue streams. Additionally, the project has tied some of its power purchase agreements to pollinator habitat commitments within and around the solar field, promoting biodiversity and sustainable farming. Crops such as corn, hay, melons, blueberries, and honey are currently also in various stages of implementation or research. 

“We were honored to celebrate some of the ambitious projects and incredible professionals leading the charge to implement best agrivoltaics practices,” said Dan French, Executive Producer of the Solar Farm Summit and Emcee of the North American Agrivoltaics Awards. "We received many thousands of votes and were very heartened to see so many folks supporting these next-generation solar farms, such as the Mammoth Solar Project, which are redefining what’s possible when pairing solar power and various agricultural practices in the field.

Mammoth North recently hosted a commercial operations ceremony July 9, 2024, which was attended by key Indiana and Industry officials, stakeholders, farmers, and local leaders. As a result, Gov. Holcomb signed an official proclamation declaring July 9 to be Agrivoltaics Day in the State of Indiana, which First Lady Janet Holcomb presented during the ceremony.

The North American Agrivoltaics Awards ceremony was held during the second annual Solar Farm Summit in Chicago, the country’s largest agrivoltaics conference, bringing together hundreds of solar developers, manufacturers, designers, policymakers, and farmers to network, brainstorm, and share the best practices for agricultural operations and the rapidly expanding solar industry. The awards ceremony was co-hosted by the National Renewable Energy Lab, the America Solar Grazing Association, and the American Farmland Trust.